On this West Virginia Morning you can hear about the new rules that aim to drastically reduce the prevalence of Black Lung disease; also, retiring Senator Jay Rockefeller reflects on his political career, and politics in general; and the Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence is holding its 5th annual conference this week in Huntington.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller say's he's deeply honored to receive the prestigious Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government. The award recognizes Rockefeller’s work to strengthen the economic and cultural relationship between the two countries.

In a news release the senator says the people of Japan have shaped his life and the lives of thousands of West Virginians.

West Virginia’s congressional delegation is weighing in on the shutdown’seffect on mine safety. Approximately 1,400 of MSHA’s 2,355 employees arefurloughed during the government shutdown. Three miners were killedon three consecutive days this past weekend, including one from WestVirginia.

In his remarks Thursday from the House floor, Congressman Nick Rahallurged his colleagues to “abandon this ridiculous political showdown thatis undercutting the safety in our mines, our industrial facilities, ourfood chain, and so much more.”